Structural unit for a two-for-one twisting machine



K. NIMTZ June 27, 1967 STRUCTURAL UNIT FOR A TWO-FOR-ONE TWISTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1966 June 27, 1967 NlMTZ 3,327,465

STRUCTURAL UNIT FOR A TWO-FOR-ONE TWISTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 25, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,327,465 STRUCTURAL UNIT FOR A TWO-FflR-ONE TWISTING MACHINE Klaus Nimtz, Krefeld, Germany, assignor to Palitex Project Company GmhH., Krefeld, Germany Filed Nov. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 597,072 Claims priority, application Germany, Dec. 1, 1965,

8 Claims. (Cl. 57-108) With heretofore known two-for-one twisting machines, the spindle rotors of the individual spindles are with indexing space journalled in a spindle rail which extends along the machine, whereas the balloon restrainers and separators are connected to other parts of the machine frame which, when viewed from the operators side, are located behind the spindles.

In addition to these last mentioned embodiments, it is also known to compose a box-shaped housing from individual parts and to connect said housing above the spindle rail to the machine frame independently of the spindle rail for receiving the balloon restrainers which surround the pot-shaped bobbin carriers which latter are journalled in spindle motors and prevented from rotation by magnets.

It has also been suggested to design such box-shaped housings in such a way that they are dapted to receive the spindle bearings and rotors as well as the balloon restrainers. While the last mentioned design yields numerous advantages, it is a radical deviation from standard machines and is rather expensive when only a small number of smaller machines is to be produced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structural unit for two-for-one twisting machines the spindle rails of which extending along the machine retain the spindle rotors while the bobbin carriers supported thereby are prevented from rotation by magnets on the bobbin carriers and, more specifically, to design such structural unit in such a way that it will comprise all parts cooperating with the spindle rotors while permitting an adjustment of the structural unit prior to its insertion in the machine so as to be ready for operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a structural unit as set forth in the preceding paragraph which prior to its insertion into the machine can be so adjusted that the axis of a spindle rotor journalled in the spindle rail will be precisely aligned with the axis of the balloon restrainer pertaining thereto so that the latter will not require a post-adjustment after the assembly has been completed.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of a structural unit according to the invention which comprises a plurality of two-for-one twisting spindles.

FIG. 2 shows the structural unit of FIG. 1 prior to its assembly.

The structural unit according to the present invention is characterized primarily by rings which are slotted on the operators side and are respectively associated with the spindles while extending with play around said spindles at approximately the level of the turntable. Each of said rings receives a cylindrical balloon restrainer having approximately the height of a bobbin and at both sides of the vertical central planes defined by the axes of a plurality of adjacent spindles is provided with fitting surfaces for clamping adjacent rings against each other and/or for providing a supporting column to be connected to the spindle rail. Each of the rings is furthermore provided with connecting eyes on which one separator each is to be mounted between two rings.

In this way it is made possible by clamping adjacent rings to each other to form a closed structural body extending over the length of a plurality of spindle spacings in conformity with the length of the spindle rail pertaining thereto, said structural body resting on said spindle rail through the intervention of said supporting columns. The individual rings can already prior to their assembly be so adjusted that their axes will precisely coincide with the axis of the respective spindle rotor associated therewith and journalled in the spindle rail. Thus, the spindle rail with the rotors and the rings for receiving the balloon restrainers can be mounted as a unit on the supporting frame of the machine. Also the respective separator provided between two spindles can be pre-assembled, separate connecting eyes being provided on said rings for mounting said separator.

The torsion resistance of the unit can be improved according to the present invention by providing the separator with a supporting column which is to be connected to the spindle rail so that each ring is supported twice on the spindle rail in addition to its clamping connection with the adjacent rings.

According to a further development of the invention, a portion of the circumference of the ring may carry the outer counter-magnets of the magnets of the bobbin carrier so that it is not necessary to provide special connecting elements which independently of the balloon restrainer are mounted on the machine frame.

According to a still further development of the invention, at least on both sides of the ring slot there may be provided radially directed screws radially arranged on the balloon restrainer and provided with clamping nuts, said screws extending through an open slot of the ring.

If desired, the slots in the ring may after insertion of the cylindrical balloon restrainers and the tightening of the clamping nuts be closed by filling members so that the danger will be eliminated that dust and fibers will collect in said slots.

According to a further feature of the invention, the separator may comprise a U-shaped frame one leg of which extends downwardly between two adjacent rings det'achably connected thereto while the base leg is arranged horizontally, and the upper leg extends horizon tally above the balloon restrainer between two adjacent balloon restrainers. Furthermore, between the legs there may be detachably inserted an element of which those surfaces facing the spindle arranged on both sides snugly fit the balloon restrainer while supporting the same and preventing vibrations.

This arrangement will assure that the balloon restrain ers are supported not only in the rings receiving the same but in addition thereto will be supported over their height. This support considerably contributes to the strength of the entire structural unit. In this connection it is of particular advantage that the separators are composed of a U-shaped frame and molded members receiving same of which the latter may be made of synthetic material to save weight .and to simplify the manufacture of the individual elements. The molded member in the U-shaped frame may be secured in its position by providing the upper leg of the separator at the bottom side thereof with an angled flange upon which the upper surface of said molded member rests, guiding pins arranged perpendicularly on said flange engaging said molded member.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the structure shown therein comprises a spindle rail 1 extending over the entire length of a two-for-one twisting machine or over a portion of its length, for instance between two machine supporting frames. The length is so selected that it corresponds to the length of a plurality of the spindle spacings.

Spindle rail 1 is in conformity with FIG. 2 provided with bores 2 for connecting the bearing housings of the spindle rotors of which FIG. 1 shows the whorls 3; Between the bores 2 there are provided additional bores 4 for connecting supporting columns or the supporting columns of the respective separators generally designated 5. The main member of the structural unit is formed by the rings 6 which at the operators side are provided with a slot 6a through which the threading of the thread is made possible.

At both sides of the vertical central plane defined by the axes of a plurality of adjacent spindles, rings 6 are provided with fitting surfaces 7 for clamping two adjacent rings to each other. This is particularly clearly shown in FIG. 2 according to which those fitting surfaces 7 of two rings 6 which face each other are engaging each other and by means of screws 8 are firmly pulled toward and connected to each other. A supporting column 9 can be connected to the fitting surface of the outer ring 6 in conformity with FIG. 1 while said column 9 in its turn is adapted to be screwed onto the spindle rail 1. The height of the supporting column 9 is so selected that by means of said column 9 the ring or rings 6 will be held at such a level that they are located approximately at the level of the turntables of the spindlerotors.

At both sides of the fitting surface 7 there are provided connecting eyes 10 by means of which separators 5 can be mounted which for this purpose have the leg 11 provided with eyes 12 for connecting screws 12a. On the operators side there is vertically extending the leg 13 of the separator 5 whereas leg 14 extends horizontally above and between two cylindrical balloon restrainers 15. On the inside, leg 14 of balloon restrainer 15 is provided with an angled flange 14a which is equipped with vertically downwardly extending guiding pins 16. A molded member 17, for instance of synthetic material, is adapted to be slipped between the legs 11 and 14. Member 17 extends downwardly between two adjacent rings 6 and rests thereon, and furthermore in upward direction rests on flange 14a of separator 5. Member 17 which is shown individually in FIG. 2 has curved surfaces 18. The curvature of these surfaces is so selected that the cylindrical balloon restrainer 15 can properly rest thereon. Furthermore, member 17 is provided with guiding slots 19 into which guiding pins 16 will extend when the member 17 is assembled.

Over a portion of the circumference of ring 6 and more specifically on the inside thereof in pockets 20a there are provided counter-magnets 20 for the magnets (not illustrated) of the bobbin carrier. Further below on the inner side of ring 6 there is provided the supporting ledge 6b for the individual balloon restrainer 15 to be inserted into ring 6 from above. The balloon restrainer 15 is inserted in such a Way that its slot 21 is in alignment with the slot 6a in ring 6. At both sides of slot 21 at the lower edge there are provided radially directed threaded pins 22 which following the assembly of the balloon restrainer extend into ring 6 through the slotted bores 23. The slotted bores 23 are open toward the top. Moreover, the outer ends of the bores broaden so that the nuts screwed onto the threaded pins 22 are countersunk. After the assembly of the balloon restrainer 15 and after the latter has been clamped fast, filling members can be inserted into the slots 23 completely covering up the same.

According to FIG. 2, the front separator 5 is provided with a supporting column 24 by means of which the sepiarator 5 is connectable to the spindle rail 1 by means of bore 4. The second separator 5 shown in FIG. 2 has no supporting column 24. It may suffice to provide merely every second separator 5 with a supporting column 24 and by means of the same to rest the interconnected rings 6 on the spindle rail 1.

This is shown in FIG. 1 according to which every second supporting column 24 of a separator 5 is indicated,

by dot-dash lines only in order to show that not every separator 5 requires a supporting column of its own.

As will be evident from the above, the present invention yields a structural unit which may comprise a plurality of spindle units which are connected to a spindle rail of a corresponding length. In this Way it will be assured that structural units can as an entirety be connected to a machine frame while already during the preassembly care is taken to have the balloon restrainer axis and the spindle axis in precise alignment with each other. Consequently, the adjustment is considerably simplified. "Moreover, it is possible to pre-assemble larger structural unit-s and to avoid that the elements have to be adjusted only when assembling the machines.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular arrangement shown in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A building unit for a two-for-one twisting machine, which includes: spindle rail means, a plurality of spindle rotors supported by said spindle rail means and spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of said spindle rail means, a plurality of ring means respectively associated with said rotors and substantially coaxially arranged therewith, a plurality of substantially cylindrical balloon restrainer means respectively mounted on said ring means in at least approximately coaxial relationship therewith, a plurality of separators respectively interposed between each two adjacent ring means, said ring means being provided with surfaces having their planes extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said spindle rail means, means firmly interconnecting said ring means along said surfaces, and means connecting said separators to said ring means, whereby said spindle rail means with said rotors and said ring means with said separators are united with each other to a single building unit adapted to be handled as an entity.

2. A building unit according to claim 1, in which each of said ring means and the respective balloon restrainer means supported thereby has a slit extending in upright direction from one end to the other end, the slit of said ring means and the slit of said balloon restrainer means being in axial alignment for permitting threading.

3. A building unit according to claim 1, which includes supporting column means connected to said spindle rail means and supporting at least some of said separators.

4. A building unit according to claim 1, which includes a plurality of magnetic means respectively mounted on a circumferential portion of said ring means and forming counter magnets for magnets on bobbin carriers to be supported by said rotors.

5. A building unit according to claim 1, in which each of said balloon restrainer means is provided with two threaded bolts respectively located at opposite sides of the slit thereof and at the lower end of said balloon restrainer means, and in which each of said ring means is provided with two bores arranged on opposite sides of the slit in the respective ring means for receiving said threaded bolts of the respective balloon restrainer means pertaining thereto, each of said ring means having two passages extending from the upper edge of said ring means to the respective bore to permit the insertion of the respective threaded bolts through said passages in said ring means into the bores thereof.

6. A building unit according to claim 5, which includes filler members detachably filling said passages.

7. A building unit according to claim 1, in which each of said separators forms a U-shaped member with the legs thereof extending in substantially horizontal direction and the portion interconnecting said legs extending in substantially vertical direction, the lower one of said two legs extending between the respective adjacent two ring means and being detachably connected thereto Whereas the upper leg extends near the upper end of the respective two adjacent balloon restrainer means; and a plurality of engaging members respectively supported by said separators and having oppositely located curved sur- 5 faces curved in conformity with the curvature of said balloon restrainer means of the respective adjacent balloon restrainer means and in snug engagement therewith.

8. A building unit according to claim 7, in which each of said separators has its upper leg provided with flange means and pin means carried by said flange means for supporting engagement with the respective engaging mem ber supported by said separator.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 828,661 3/1905 Jamieson 57l08 2,069,935 2/1937 Bear 57l08 2,083,758 6/1937 Taylor et a1. 57108 2,603,938 7/1952 Rodgers 57-108 X 2,932,936 4/1960 Landolt 5758.83

10 FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

D. WATKINS, Examiner. 

1. A BUILDING UNIT FOR A TWO-FOR-ONE TWISTING MACHINE, WHICH INCLUDES: SPINDLE RAIL MEANS, A PLURALITY OF SPINDLE ROTORS, SUPPORTED BY SAID SPINDLE RAIL MEANS AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN THE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION OF SAID SPINDLE RAIL MEANS, A PLURALITY OF RING MEANS RESPECTIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ROTORS AND SUBSTANTIALLY COAXIALLY ARRANGED THEREWITH, A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL BALLOON RESTRAINER MEANS RESPECTIVELY MOUNTED ON SAID RING MEANS IN AT LEAST APPROXIMATELY COAXIAL RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, A PLURALITY OF SEPARATORS RESPECTIVELY INTERPOSED BETWEEN EACH TWO ADJACENT RING MEANS, SAID RING MEANS BEING PROVIDED WITH SURFACES HAVING THEIR PLANES EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION OF SAID SPINDLE RAIL MEANS, MEANS FIRMLY INTERCONNECTING SAID RING MEANS ALONG SAID SURFACES, AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID SEPARATORS TO SAID RING MEANS, WHEREBY SAID SPINDLE RAIL MEANS WITH SAID ROTORS AND SAID RING MEANS WITH SAID SEPARATORS ARE UNITED WITH EACH OTHER TO A SINGLE BUILDING UNIT ADAPTED TO BE HANDLED AS AN ENTITY. 